HL Deb 25 February 1993 vol 543 cc20-1WA
Lord Westbury

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What further progress has been made with regard to interim measures following the MV "Braer" incident.

The Minister of State, Department of Transport (The Earl of Caithness)

A paper was submitted to the Secretary General of the International Maritime Organisation yesterday for consideration at the Maritime Safety Committee meeting in May. The paper contained details of a number of interim measures to protect the United Kingdom coast from accidental pollution. The measures include a voluntary code for laden tankers that the industry has undertaken to develop by mid-March. The code will stress the importance of:

  • Passage planning
  • Compliance with internationally agreed routeing schemes
  • Voluntary reporting arrangements in specified areas
  • Advising coastal states if a vessel is experiencing difficulties which could lead to pollution
  • The maintenance of appropriate margins of safety in case of ship breakdown
  • Testing essential systems
  • Satisfactory towing arrangements on tankers
  • The right of masters to exercise their discretion in particular circumstances

The paper also sets out routeing measures that are under active consideration. These measures include: An extended area to be avoided around the Shetland Islands A Traffic Separation Scheme in the Fair Isle Channel

and recommendations on tanker navigation in the following locations:

  • Pentland Firth
  • Minch
  • North Channel
  • Off Smalls and Grassholme Island
  • Off Scilly Islands
    • WA21
  • Needles Channel
  • Firth of Forth

We will ensure that all those affected by these measures will be fully consulted before the Maritime Safety Committee meets in May. Copies of the paper are in the Libraries of both Houses.